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Itโs crazy to think Thursday is May 1st. Summer is right around the cornerโand in Miami, it already feels like summer is here. I have a feeling June and July will bring a whole new level of heat, but right now, the weather is pretty perfect.
Our days have been hovering around eighty degrees, with warm nights in the best way. My mom and I keep saying how nice it is to step outside without bundling up. Sheโs been loving dinners outโsitting in the warm air and enjoying a really good meal.
As for me, I love my mornings more than anything. The birds around the house are constantly singing, and itโs the most peaceful sound. Waking up early as the sun rises, windows open, sunlight slowly filling the house, and getting in a workoutโitโs my ideal start to the day. I really canโt complain.
There are so many wonderful things about being in Miami, but that doesnโt mean itโs been all sunshine and happiness. The adjustment has been hard. Iโve had my fair share of tears and moments where Iโve focused too much on the negatives instead of the positives.
Thatโs just how Iโm wiredโit always has been. Iโm a true Virgo through and through. But with small steps forward (and sometimes a couple back), Iโm learning, growing, and hopefully becoming a little better and a little wiser along the way.
Maybe what they say is trueโwisdom does come with age.
Getting back to the volume of cooking Iโm used to hasnโt been possible, and Iโve definitely felt a little out of my element. If Iโm being honest, I think Iโve been more scared than anythingโand Iโve let that feeling linger a bit too long.
But slowly, that fear is starting to shift, and Iโm finding a new rhythm.
You all have been so incredibly understanding and kind. Just like with our cookbooks, collaborations, and product launches, your support never goes unnoticed. Over the past few weeks, youโve shared so many thoughtful messages, words of encouragement, and genuine happiness for meโitโs meant so much.
Weโve built the most amazing community over the last fourteen years, and I feel so lucky to have so many of you rooting for me. Itโs something truly special.
I think thatโs all for today. I hope you enjoy this weekโs Nine Favorite Thingsโsharing some fun ideas for Motherโs Day and everything else Iโve been loving lately.
1. Things Iโm Loving.
loveโฆthe Handwoven Rattan Laundry Basket I ordered. Itโs so cute and great for holding/storing so many things.
wathingโฆthe Farmgirl Flowers Eye Candy bunch and freshย Specialty Field Trial Peonies. SO PRETTY.
makingโฆpizzas with theย Arc XL compact pizza oven from Gozney. The team is shipping me this oven now, and I plan to make a lot of pizza with it. Very excited. Letโs see if it lives up to a real pizza oven!
everything in my cart (low)โฆper usual, I have a lot of Zara selects. First, this Gathered Lace Midi Dress is a cute way to style butter yellow. These Barrel Pants look comfy, yet still stylish. You can style them with this Cable Knit Striped Jumper and Platform Sandals.
a very prettyย Midi Skirt. Style the skirt with thisย Braided Bucket Hat (need this to block off the sun from my face).
Iโve been looking for a good sweatshirt to wear around the house, just something comfy but cute. My brothers and dad have these Ford hoodies that I love, and I found this cute one here. Itโs the Combination Crew Ford Sweatshirt. Iโll let you know how I like it! I grabbed these Long Ribbed Socks in blueish too!
Also, this Logo Crew Sweatshirt from Abercrombie. This brings me back to middle school!
listening toโฆHow to Quiet the Voice Thatโs Holding You Back.
dreaming of going toโฆThe Grace Hotel in Santorini. It looks SO beautiful!
orderedโฆtheseย Pure Dark Bars from Spring & Mulberry. I love these because they are sweetened only with dates. The flavors are all great, but I got the Pure Dark orย Pecan Date.
wantingโฆcute spring nails. These fresh, light spring colors are great.
lovingโฆCandice King and Steven Kruegerโs Elopement at a Tiny Tennessee Chapel. Such a sweet, family-focused wedding. Iโd do something simple and similar, just much smaller. My wedding would have to be as small as possible!
wearingโฆthe new Heaven Mayhem Clementine Necklace in red resin beads. My mom will get a lot of wear out of this too!
everything in my cart (beauty)โฆnow that Iโm in Miami, this Miami Split Eau De Parfum from Abel has been added to my (very large) FWRD cart. Should I try it?
Iโm also getting this La Bonne Brosse Exclusive La Isla N.04 The Miracle Detangling Brush in Blue Lagoon since I left mine in Colorado. This style and color are new to me, so Iโm excited to test it out. I love the La Bonne Brosse brushes.
I really want thisย Soft Services Soft Services x Vacation โ โVACATIONโ Buffing Bar Exfoliating Body Bar with Coconut, Pineapple & Solar Notes. Sounds pretty wonderful, right? I need a sunscreen too, so Iโm going to get more of their Classic Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen. Iโve used this, and I love it.
Last product, the new Miss Dior Hand Cream and Body Cream. I need to get this. We all know Iโm a sucker for great branding/packaging, plus the formula and scent sound beautiful.
watchingโฆAnne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci Talk Chelsea Boots and Cocktails in the Latest โOff the Cuffโ. These two are too cute. Iโm so excited to see the new Devil Wears Prada 2. How fun would it have been to go to the New York premiere?!
everything in my cart (high)โฆthis is a cuteย Beaded Clutch from Staud that feels fun for spring and summer nights out.
Style the clutch with thisย Midi Skirt and a simple whiteย Knit Top. Itโs cute, but casual and comfy!
shoppingโฆ the new Victoria Beckham x Gap Collaboration. This collab launched on April 20th, and every piece is cute, high-quality, and affordable. I ordered the Heavyweight French Terry Hoodie. A lot is sold out, so I recommend you pick up this Oversized Weekender quickly. Also, thisย French Terry Sweatshirt and Organic Cotton Logo T-Shirt. It will be perfect for summer weekend trips.
followingโฆThe Fashion Edit for the best of the best Global Luxury Sourcing.
sharingโฆ40 Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights,ย 30 Spring Strawberry Recipes Youโll Want on Repeat, and 25 Easy One-Pan Dinners Everyone Is Making Right Now.
2. Momโs Favorite Recipes.
Homemade Honey Butter Cheddar Biscuits
Baked Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast
Baked Cinnamon Crunch French Toast
Salty Pretzel Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake
Bursting Blueberry Lemon Layer Cake
3. Motherโs Day Gift Ideas.
beauty
home/garden
style
4. Celebrate Mom With A Long Weekend Away.
This is my favorite because, unlike a material gift, itโs something that gives Mom your time and attentionโand thatโs hard to beat. Now that weโre in Florida, a trip to Key West with a stay at Casa Marina Resort (the beachfront suites are so pretty!) is the perfect quick long weekend for the girls or the whole family. Or my personal pick: Palm Beach, with a stay at The Colony (my favorite hotelโyou have to stay in the Goop Suite).
Other ideas: Charleston (The Cooper just opened there, I heard itโs great), Isle of Palms, Dallas, Austin, Palm Springs, maybe even Vegas. Or a quick trip to Mexico!
Have fun planning it outโjust donโt overthink it. Motherโs Day is Sunday, May 10th!
5. Summer Travel.ย
Everyone is in summer travel mode, and it has me excited!
Some of my family members are planning a trip to Europe at the end of the summer. Theyโre working with our travel agent, Emily, from Lutz Travel (sheโs the best!), to plan a special trip for Asherโs 18th birthday. They are thinking maybe Scandinaviaโฆbut still deciding. If you have any ideas, please let me know!
If youโre into a big summer trip, my brother Red loves Japan and is always saying I really need to go to Tokyo, then do a Ramen Tour around the city.
Looking to visit more than one place? Try theย Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.ย The luxury yachts travel toย Alaska,ย Asia, theย Caribbean,ย the Mediterranean,ย Northern Europe and the Baltic, and theย South Pacific. They offer so many different voyages and experiences. Itโs an easy way to plan a multi-city trip.
Or stick to the Midwest and plan a few Destinations in the Midwest for an Affordable Weekend Trip.
For a couples get away, try Jackson Hole.ย Blackberry Farm in Tennessee looks beautiful, too!
For long trips, consider thisย The Large Check-In Traveller Toiletry Kit from Parallelle. Fill the toiletry kit up with the Oak Essentials Travel Body Routine.
For luggage, The Bigger Carry-On, andย The Large Flex from Away. I recently got all new Away luggage, and I LOVE the bags. If you want to be fancy, look at the pretty The Large: Aluminum Edition.
Where are you traveling this summer? What are your travel must-haves? Any travel tips to share?
6. Inspiring Me.
7. Favorite Links.
Inside David & Isabela Grutmanโs Brazil-Inspired Miami Home
Kitchen Trends 2026: What Designers Are Obsessing Over Now
These Miami Homeowners Assembled a Dream Design Team
7 Fashion People Share the Gifts Theyโre Buying This Motherโs Day
What Are Your Holy Grail Skincare Products?
Moms, What Do You Always Keep in Your Bag?
15 Trader Joeโs Finds That Are Perfect for Motherโs Day Brunch
Themed Hangouts Are Replacing the Typical Bar Crawl
8. New Shoes, Accessories, and Swim Selects.
9. This Weekโs Dinners + Weekend Eats.
Monday:ย Everything Cheddar, Tomato, and Brie Grilled Cheese
Tuesday: Sheet Pan Jalapeรฑo Pineapple Shrimp Tacos
Wednesday: Sheet Pan White Pesto Lasagna
Thursday: Peanut Chicken Spring Roll Bowls
Friday: Easy Skillet Chicken Tinga Enchiladas
Saturday: Watermelon Rosรจ Paloma
Sunday: Easy Blueberry Monkey Bread
This post was originally published on April 26, 2026
Hehe Tieghan, Friday is the 1st!
I have always wanted to go to Tokyo and Iโve traveled all over. Iโve regretted not going there. If you have the chance please go!
Iโm a Sagittarius which is funny because it was me for so long but as I get older, I feel more Virgo!
Loved reading what are your pets names ๐
I hope you are having fun in the sun ๐
Hey Heather,
Thanks for reading! Ohhh Iโve heard amazing things about Tokyo, I hope you get the chance to go sometime.
Enjoy your week!
Hope you all get settled in Miami very soon.
I wonder if youโll want to cook differently in the warmer weather? Be good to see how it inspires you. ๐
Have a great week. Xx
Thanks so much, Kelly-Jane!!
I have a feeling that might happen, but we will see:)
Enjoy your week and thanks for reading!
Wow I didnโt realize you moved!! Exciting for you but now Iโm wondering what happened to your barns? Those were so unique. Anyway, excited to follow along on your journey.
Hi Kelly,
Itโs just temporary, nothing permanent:) Thanks for reading today!
Thanks for sharing snapshots of your life, and I hope the sun in Miami boosts your spirits:) I am so with you on a small wedding! I just got married last weekend and would have liked to be even tinier than it was (33 people in the end). But my now husband wanted bigger than just immediate family. It turned out beautiful and it was so nice to spend time with our guests rather than just waving hello from across the room, Iโve been to too many weddings like that and Iโve heard from a lot of people if they went back and did it again theyโd do something similar in size to ours. Itโs the best!!
I have never been to Copenhagen but it is high on my list and I feel like that would be so fun for yall. Especially in September, or late summer? Weโre going to Greece then for our honeymoon and they say itโs a great time to travel to Europe. Anyways, Iโve been dreaming of Copenhagen ever since Joanna Goddard posted her trip on Cup of Jo. Happy planning!
Hey Hannah,
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment. Congratulations to you and your husband, your wedding sounds beautiful and Iโm sure having something smaller is so nice!
Have a wonderful time in Greece, Iโve heard amazing things!
Enjoy your week!
Are you looking forward to celebrating Asherโs 18th birthday in Europe?
Hey Rue,
It really depends on scheduling for me, I have a busy fall coming up! Either way, I will still do something super special with Asher.
Thanks for reading!
Hi Tieghan!
Looking forward to seeing how your Miami adventure plays out โ how fun to try something new like this for a few months! Keep repeating to yourself that you deserve this โotherโ time right now (not really โdownโ time, just different) and enjoy the sun, salt and sand!
Loved your Motherโs Day suggestions! I just bought several things from Cozy Earth including those super cute Lakehouse Clogs! I also got the Bamboo Stretch Knit Sleep Dress (in Navy, because I am also a Virgo โ I see you Teresa Dendy ๐ โ and Sapphire/Navy Blue is my power color.
I second Daleโs suggestion that you go to Scandinavia. Iโve spent most of my time there in Sweden (all over) and I think youโd love the sensible aesthetic of Stockholm as well as the wild beauty of the countryside. It never, like ever, gets Miami hot there, but Summer is still gorgeous and if youโre there over Midsummer, there will be parties galore. Great, very fresh food, terrific museums (ABBA, Vasa, Skansen to name a few) and Swedes are lovely people (if a bit shy by American standards โ which I think you can appreciate).
Keep being awesome!
Hey Nancie,
Thanks for taking the time to ready today and your kind message! I like your perspective on my time here in Miami.
Glad you enjoyed the Motherโs Day suggestions!
Thanks for sharing so much about Sweden, I enjoyed learning what you have experienced there, sounds like such a great place!
Happy Sunday!
Wow, I guess I missed the โIโm moving to Miamiโ post! Youโre right about the summer. It will certainly get HOT, HUMID, and HOTTER! Good thing youโre a morning person. Enjoy this journey and do not poo poo the hurricanes. They are real and can be quite terrifying. After being hit 20+ times on the west coast we moved. Ian made our decision much easier.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Linda! We definitely will not take the hurricanes lightly, I appreciate your concern!
Have a great Sunday!
You and your sister have such a close bond! Will you be joining your family for Asherโs European birthday trip?
Hey Hannah!
I am not sure!! Schedule is heavy in September so I may need to celebrate before with her! I will think of something special though!!
Have a great week!!
Love the recommendations for Motherโs Day! There was a pair of square-toed black sandals that you recommended a while back- maybe they were from Theory? Do you have any go-to brands? Would love to gift these to my mom friends! Thanks for your weekly newsletter โ I look forward to reading every week! Enjoy Miami!
Thanks so much for reading, Marybeth! So glad you enjoyed the Motherโs Day suggestions:)
Try these, they are so cute!
I hope you have a great week!
This fellow Virgo understands the joys and the tears. But the devil never wins. Keep growing and doing what youโre doing. Because lots of us enjoy your work.
Thanks so much for your kind message, Teresa:) Glad you understand where Iโm coming from!
Have a great Sunday!
So glad this re-set time is working for you! Travel: definitely Scandinavia. The last 2 years weโve been to Norway (once), Sweden (twice), Denmark (twice), then a quick hop to Berlin, Germany. Lots of โmust seesโ. People in Norway, Sweden & Denmark all generally speak English & are super helpful to confused looking tourists!
This year, we are doing a Viking cruise around Iceland with stops to explore the interior on 5 days of the 7 day cruise. Sooooo looking forward to it.
Have an amazing week & thanks for all you doโฆ
Hey Dale,
Thanks for reading today and taking the time to share about your travels. Good to know you recommend Scandinavia! Your Viking cruise sounds amazing, I hope you have a wonderful time!
Enjoy your Sunday!